Fans limited to friends, family members for Steelers' playoff game against Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers were denied Thursday in their quest to have fan capacity expanded for their home playoff game Sunday night, meaning friends and family members will be the only ones permitted inside Heinz Field when the team faces the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round.

The Steelers were hoping Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration would permit more than 2,500 people inside the stadium.

“We are disappointed we will not be able to host our season ticket holders and other fans,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in a statement. “We were hoping to receive approval to host fans for the playoffs at a capacity similar to our games in October and November, but unfortunately the state’s orders will permit only 2,500 total people in the building, including players, coaches and staff.

“This will limit fans in the seating bowl to family and friends of players and the team.”

Last week, the Steelers said they would “continue to have dialogue with public health officials” about increasing capacity for the playoffs.

Wolf’s time-limited mitigation orders that were put into effect in early December expired Jan. 4, allowing facilities that can seat 10,000 or more customers to have gatherings capped at 5% capacity or a maximum of 2,500 people.

Before Wolf’s mitigation orders, the Steelers were permitted to have up to 7,500 people at Heinz Field on game days in October and November. The high attendance was 5,909 at the Nov. 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

No fans attended December home games against Baltimore and Washington.